ISLAMIC ARTICLE :- ~ Istikhara in the Lightof the Sunnah

All praises are due to Allah,the Creator, Nourisher and Sustainer of
both the worlds. Through Allah's infinite mercy on mankind.He selected
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) as a mentor and filled his
heart with love and affection towardsHis creation. May Allah's
choicest blessings and salutations be showered on His beloved Rasul
(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), who undertook great pains in fulfilling
the task of conveying His message, and may Allah shower His blessings
on the noble companions of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam)
whose hearts inherited the pain and burn for the guidance of humanity
that was instilled in the heart of their beloved Master, the Leader of
both the worlds.
INTRODUCTION
Whosoever adopts the way of life brought by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
Alayhi Wasallam) to mankind, he will find that even his life in this
world will become one of pleasure, tranquility, contentment, peace and
freedom from all worries. Due to the fact that this way of life that
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) brought was meant for the
whole of mankind, Allah made it very easy and simple to follow.
CONFUSION AND PERPLEXITY
Among the many difficulties that man undergoes is 'confusion' and
'perplexity'. Almost everyday in his life, man isfaced with the task
of making a decision between two or more choices. Generally the
decisions are not major but occasionally they do become quite serious.
Even in these circumstances, our beloved mentor, Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) taught us what to do, and clearly
outlined the solution. This solution is called Istikharah.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ISTIKHARAH
Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: "And it is very possible that you
dislike something whereas it is good for you; and (similarly) it is
very possible that you like something whereas it is bad for you" .
(Baqarah 16)
From the above ayah, we learn that man has limitedknowledge and
deficient intellect. Therefore, many a times, he may desire something,
which may prove harmful to him, and on the other hand, he maydislike
something, while it is good for him. The sole possessor of perfect
knowledge, and the only knower of the unseen is Allah, the Creator of
man and the Controller of the system of the entire universe. Therefore
if man desires good, he can only find it in the hands of Allah.
According to one Hadith: "It is from the good fortune of man that he
makes Istikharah(seeks good) from Allah, and it is from his misfortune
that he discards Istikharah."
'Allamah Aini (RA) writes:"Man should never overlook any matter due to
its insignificance and discard Istikharah. How many matters are
regarded as insignificant and Istikharah is not madefor them, due to
which great harm is suffered when carrying them out or abandoning
them. It is for this reason that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi
Wasallam) is reported to have said:"(Every) one of you shouldask his
need from his sustainer to the extent that he should ask Him forsalt,
and for a shoelace when it breaks."
"Allamah Ibnul Qayyim (RA) has written: "The person who makes
Istikharah (seek good) from his Creator and makes 'mashwarah'
(consults) the creation never regrets, since Allah said to (His Nabi
(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam)): "Consult themin matters. Thus, when
You make a decision, placeyour trust in Allah".
Shaikh Tahir bin Husain bin Abdullah bin Tahir wrote in a letter to
his sonafter he had become an amir or governor:"Whenever any matter of
importance comes upon you, seek assistance in it by making Istikharah
to Allah and fearing him". He also advised him thus:"and perform
Istikharah abundantly in all your matters". (Al-Istikharah by M.T.
Hakeem)
A GREAT BENEFIT OF ISTIKHARAH
Hadrat Shah Waliyyullah (RA) writes: "From amongst the greatest
benefits of Istikharah is that man becomes detached from his carnal
desires, his animalistic characteristics become subject to his angelic
nature and he hands himself over to Allah. When he does this, he
reaches the stages of the angels whose quality is that they await the
command of Allah. When Allah's command is received, they exert
themselves through divinemotivation and not carnal motivation. I
believe that excessive Istikharah is a proven tonic for the
inculcation of angelic qualities."
A MISCONCEPTION
But alas, today, Istikharah has become as equally difficult as making
a decision. People hesitate so much to perform this great act of
worship, that only at the last alternative,when no other way can
beperceived, they would turn to some innovated act that has no basis
in theHadith, such as the taking of a good omen by opening the Qur'an
and counting lines and letters, etc.;